Puad Zarkashi remains in UMNO, to continue serving the people
By Lucia Terey John
JOHOR BAHRU, April 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi has decided to remain in UMNO so that he can continue serving the people.
This latest development has set aside speculations that he would leave the party after being disappointed over not being selected to contest the Batu Pahat parliamentary seat in the 14th general election (GE14).
"As I said earlier, I am not against UMNO's struggles but just dissatisfied with the system that has been manipulated by irresponsible parties.
"So, for now, I will remain as Batu Pahat UMNO division head and UMNO Supreme Council member," the former director-general of the Department of Special Affairs (Jasa) told Bernama when contacted here today.
Mohd Puad said he would continue to perform his duties as a community leader to help those in need of attention and assistance, but he did not have a definite plan for future undertakings.
"have not thought about jobs. I want to rest and finish writing my book which has been put on hold because I was busy. The book is titled 'A School In The Interior. 8 Hours of Walking,' and is almost completed, about my experience as deputy education minister," he said.
Asked if he would be uncomfortable discussing issues with State BN chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin after he criticised the latter, Puad said he had no problems with that.
"I am critical even in the Supreme Council, so there will be no problem for me to speak up in the state UMNO Liaison meetings," he said.
Earlier, Mohd Puad was reported to be contesting as an Independent after he was disappointed over being dropped as a candidate, but he did not appear at the nomination centre in the Batu Pahat District Office yesterday.
However, he has since said in a statement that his decision not to contest was made upon the advice of Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
-- BERNAMA
